Some fringe people tried to say Wellstone's plane crashed under suspicious circumstances, but I think most people believe it was just a terrible accident (pilot error I believe). I believe it was a terrible accident.

Liberalism in Illinois? Heck, I'm not sure anymore. All I can attest to is to what my own liberalism entails.

My own definition of liberalism starts with the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address and many other historical documents. I believe that everything from our flag to our patriotism is birthed from these documents. And that as a country we do not do enough to realize such things.

I think that Govt has no business entering into the lives of consenting adults, a woman's body or what two people want to do together. I believe that two adults of the same sex should be able to enter into a binding relationship with the same benefits of a male and female couple.

I believe our tax system should be based on a cost of living for families scale and in a progressive manner.

I believe families are being torn apart by predatory captialism and other things rather than by things such as gay marriage. For example, when I was a young boy, stores were closed on Sundays and holidays. Families spent time together on front porches and at Grandma's house (really, how many families have Sunday lunches anymore?). Families now need two incomes to get by - strangers watch our kids more than heterosexual parents do but we are afraid of gay parents. We are sold sex and violence every moment of everyday and then act surprised that young children have sex at 12 and babies at 13.

Healthcare is another issue. Preventative healtcare should be more important however, there is no money in that aspect of healthcare - the big money comes from things like open heart surgery and other serious crisises of one's health.

Unions need to strengthen. We all benefit from strong unions. Some studies show that wages and benefits for everybody increase along with good union contracts.

We've got to get back to the environment as well. We've got to realize that we are more attached to this earth than we think.

As for crime, I'm conflicted over the death penalty. In it's current form I do not believe it should be used. The poor, minority, mentally disabled and poorly represented are those mostly put to death. Here in Illinois over the past few years at LEAST 13 people formally on death row have been found to be innocent. To me, one is too much. There are people beyond all reach when it comes to death penalty offenses, but at this time, in my opinion, right now there are too many concerns in how it is applied.

Education must be more accessible to all Americans and we must get over our race issues.

Lastly, and the ones mentioned are not exhaustive of my views, I believe Election Day should be a National Holiday. Sadly, the powers that be do not what those who don't vote to vote.

Hope this didn't bore anyone...